Cardinals Bring Back Jeff Hafley for Second Interview as Head Coaching Search Heats Up
GLENDALE - The Arizona Cardinals are starting to narrow their focus in the search for their next head coach, and one name is clearly standing out: Jeff Hafley. The current Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator has emerged as the first candidate to receive a second interview with the team, signaling serious interest from general manager Monti Ossenfort and his staff.
This isn’t just a cursory second look. Hafley’s resume has clearly caught Arizona’s attention-and for good reason. While he may not have decades of NFL head coaching experience, what he brings to the table is a deep, well-rounded football background and a proven ability to elevate a defense quickly.
Hafley’s Journey: From Small College Coach to NFL Defensive Architect
Hafley’s coaching career began all the way back in 2001 at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, where he coached running backs. That offensive start quickly gave way to a defensive path that would define his career. Over the next decade, he honed his craft as a defensive backs coach at Albany, Pittsburgh, and Rutgers-three programs that helped lay the foundation for his eventual leap to the NFL.
His first NFL opportunity came with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and over the next seven seasons, he built a reputation as a sharp, detail-oriented defensive backs coach across three different franchises. Then came his return to college football in 2019 as Ohio State’s defensive coordinator-a one-year stint that led to his first head coaching opportunity at Boston College.
In four seasons at BC, Hafley posted a 22-26 record. While the win-loss column didn’t jump off the page, his ability to develop talent and instill a disciplined defensive identity was evident. That caught the eye of Packers head coach Matt LaFleur, who brought Hafley back to the NFL in 2025 to run Green Bay’s defense.
Impact in Green Bay: A Defense on the Rise
Hafley wasted no time making an impact in his first season as Green Bay’s defensive coordinator. The Packers finished fifth in total yards allowed and sixth in points allowed per game-a dramatic turnaround that spoke volumes about his system and leadership. Even with a slight regression in 2025, the Packers still hovered near the top 10 in both categories, showing that the defensive foundation Hafley laid was no fluke.
That kind of turnaround is exactly what the Cardinals need. Arizona’s defense ranked 29th in points allowed last season, and fixing that side of the ball is priority number one. Hafley has already shown he can take a struggling unit and turn it into a disciplined, high-performing group.
Miami in the Mix, But Arizona Isn’t Backing Down
While Hafley is also considered a strong candidate for the Miami Dolphins’ head coaching job, Arizona isn’t sitting back and waiting. The fact that the Cardinals brought him in for a second interview shows they’re serious about what he could bring to the desert. He’s not just a name on a list-he’s a legitimate contender to lead the team in 2026 and beyond.
With over two decades of coaching experience, a proven track record of developing defenses, and a presence that commands respect in the locker room, Hafley checks a lot of boxes. Whether he ends up in Miami or Arizona remains to be seen, but one thing’s clear: the Cardinals are doing their homework, and Hafley is firmly in the mix.